New Wind Blowing in Iwamizawa

Overview

Iwamizawa is located about 40 minutes by train from Sapporo in Hokkaido Prefecture. It flourished as a transportation hub for coal, but spiraled into decline following the closure of the mines in the 60's and 70's. However, blessed with vast farmland, Iwamizawa was able to transform itself into a leading agricultural district in Japan. These days, people from across the country are migrating to the area where the miners once lived, sparking a new movement. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Kyle Card from Canada meets people bringing a new vitality to Iwamizawa.